All Purpose EJ Thread *Read Mod Warning # 1 & 34*

Quincey is, was and will remain terrible. He doesn't have the attitude or the aptitude of a NHL player. I'm happy to see Sherman move him for good value last year, it sucks that Downie got injured but that's how this team's luck has been of late.

It's no coincidence: NO Johnson + less Hunwick + more Barrie = More wins.

Yep, totally. Trade EJ and watch us win the President's trophy because he's the cancer on our blue line.

When in reality it's funny because we're winning since Sacco is playing our good defenders more than our bad defenders and nothing more than that. Hunwick and Zanon as TOI leaders = loss. Barrie and EJ as TOI leaders = win.

Shattenkirk's defensive game is nothing to write home about. Just watch his work on the Avs first goal yesterday.

Trading him set the Avs offensive ability on the blue line back a few years, but watching Elliott and Barrie this last little while has given me hope that it will easily be replaced and more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivan13

Great post.

Also look at all the soft minutes he plays as well. I do admit he probably has the better shot of the 3 including over Elliott's wrister, but he's looking soso good because of playing against 2nd, 3rd line players and defensive groups.

Yep. Barrie has gotten the lion's share of minutes. Not complaining, but it is very perplexing Sacco did this and funny it coincides with more frequent wins.

I don't believe it's a coincidence at all. The introduction of Barrie and Elliott into the lineup has completely changed the offensive flow out of the defensive zone and through the neutral zone. They both move the puck (or skate it) quite well - most certainly better than any other non-EJ defensemen on the roster. And both of them are displaying point play that not a single defenseman on the roster has shown this season, and that includes EJ. They just need to learn to play defense at the NHL level.

BTW, in the last several games, I'm happy to see Elliott elevating one part of his play that I saw as a big problem last season. Last year, he showed good skating and stick skills, but he kept skating himself (and thus, the puck) into really bad places on the ice. I don't see him doing that nearly as much during this latest call-up.

I don't believe it's a coincidence at all. The introduction of Barrie and Elliott into the lineup has completely changed the offensive flow out of the defensive zone and through the neutral zone. They both move the puck (or skate it) quite well - most certainly better than any other non-EJ defensemen on the roster. And both of them are displaying point play that not a single defenseman on the roster has shown this season, and that includes EJ. They just need to learn to play defense at the NHL level.

BTW, in the last several games, I'm happy to see Elliott elevating one part of his play that I saw as a big problem last season. Last year, he showed good skating and stick skills, but he kept skating himself (and thus, the puck) into really bad places on the ice. I don't see him doing that nearly as much during this latest call-up.

Didn't say it was a coincidence. I said it was funny that it coincided together... like anyone with half a brain (read: Not Sacco) would recognize.

Also look at all the soft minutes he plays as well. I do admit he probably has the better shot of the 3 including over Elliott's wrister, but he's looking soso good because of playing against 2nd, 3rd line players and defensive groups.

I'm afraid you guys are pushing the homer button a little bit here.

First, we're favorably comparing (and even equating) either of two rookies with a few weeks of solid play, to someone with 200 games of NHL experience? I suggest we keep some perspective here.

Second, in April (up until last night), StL allowed 14 goals in 11 games, with Shattenkirk playing 18-19 minutes of 2nd pairing defense per game. That's neither soft nor 'nothing to write home about'. If StL plays defense like that, they're going to be a team no one wants to play in the postseason.

It'll be interesting to see how they play defense in the next game, because they looked pretty shaky in their own end last night. Their defensive zone play looked kind of like Colorado's has for most of the season.

Of all of the things that can be put at Sacco's feet, IMO this is his biggest fault of this season.

Eh, I'd argue if needed he was handicapped by too many veteran defensive contracts and he never had the option to keep both Stef and Tyson up until now. Sherman certainly needs to make room for them next year, but I don' think he will.

Sacco mishandled EJ, Varly, Staz and Jones to worse extents imo. Staz as shutdown center?? EJ getting less than 20 some nights?? Giggy not coming in sooner when Varly was struggling?

All viable questions for his court martial which ultimately can go as simply as "Sorry Joe, you lost the team's confidence and it's time for us to go in a new direction."

First, we're favorably comparing (and even equating) either of two rookies with a few weeks of solid play, to someone with 200 games of NHL experience? I suggest we keep some perspective here.

Second, in April (up until last night), StL allowed 14 goals in 11 games, with Shattenkirk playing 18-19 minutes of 2nd pairing defense per game. That's neither soft nor 'nothing to write home about'. If StL plays defense like that, they're going to be a team no one wants to play in the postseason.

It'll be interesting to see how they play defense in the next game, because they looked pretty shaky in their own end last night. Their defensive zone play looked kind of like Colorado's has for most of the season.

Maybe we are, but due to all the trashtalking, homerism, and overhyped from Blues fans the last couple of seasons, I don't think we're being homers over Shattenkirk.

Also IMO besides #27, Polak has been the second best defender on that team and something our team desperately lacks.